In a mess

[bubbe1]

Hi,
I hope this is not inappropriate, it's taken me days to get up the courage to ask, but here goes.
I have developed vaginal spasms that feel like mini orgasims,(sorry). These are unbidden and just come from nowhere.
The thing is, besides being uncomfortable, the spasms are irritating my bladder so that I am know urinating every five minutes,(before I was going about every two hours), and my pain level has flared as well,(that was doing pretty well before, just a little sore). The spasms also seem to be causing rectal spasms, so now I have pain there too. To add insult to injury, all the spasaming,(sp?), is causing my usually under control restless leg syndrome to act up, and even my Klonopin, which generally takes care of my RL, isn't helping, and for some reason, it's also causinng knee pain,I guess from irritating nerves.
Needless to say, I am not in the best shape. I haven't gone anywhere in days, I'm exhausted from not sleeping do to going to the bathroom all night, the spams, and the restless leg problem.
I am super sensitive to medicines, so can't take sleep aides or I am a zombie the next day. Even at a fraction of the dose, I am zonked. The same for pain meds. I can't tolerate Elavil or any meds in that class, either. I am in a mess!
If anyone has any input at all, it would be hugely appreciated.
I hope I haven't offended anyone.
Thanks so much,
Laurie

[ICNDonna]

What you're experiencing is not unusual in IC patients. You might try applying heat to help.

Donna

[bubbe1]

in a mess

What you're experiencing is not unusual in IC patients. You might try applying heat to help.

Donna

Thanks for answering so quickly, Donna.
I have been using heat almost non-stop, but so far it hasn't helped.
Would you happen to know what the possible causes of the spasms are and what some other people have done for them?
Laurie

[vanilla]

Maybe valium would help.

[bubbe1]

in a mess

Maybe valium would help.

I hadn't thought of that. Maybe I'll give it a try.
Thanks very much.

[meagain]

Hmmm, knee problem too? Just generally check all the boxes here, it would be good for you to find a GOOD chiropractor. I did and my knee problem mostly disappeared! Had a MRI, thousand dollar knee brace and told surgery was needed. The brace would not stop knee from popping out of joint. Now it's fine! I just think chiropractic would be a general step in the right direction for you. Wish I hadn't let my knee go until the ligament went all the way lax, can't fix that. My next moves will be pelvic PT and/or acupuncture. The key is finding GOOD ones. And having money. No health insurance here, another 5 yrs till Medicare, but thinking about moving to another country, frankly. Sorry to rant. Good luck to you!

[bubbe1]

knee too

Hmmm, knee problem too? Just generally check all the boxes here, it would be good for you to find a GOOD chiropractor. I did and my knee problem mostly disappeared! Had a MRI, thousand dollar knee brace and told surgery was needed. The brace would not stop knee from popping out of joint. Now it's fine! I just think chiropractic would be a general step in the right direction for you. Wish I hadn't let my knee go until the ligament went all the way lax, can't fix that. My next moves will be pelvic PT and/or acupuncture. The key is finding GOOD ones. And having money. No health insurance here, another 5 yrs till Medicare, but thinking about moving to another country, frankly. Sorry to rant. Good luck to you!

Megain,
You are a fountain of information!
I was going to a Chiro whom I liked but he wasn't helpig my knees. I think I need PT for that. I also am thinking more and more, that our ailments involve our WHOLE bodies,not just bits and pieces.
I'm so sorry you don't have insurance. Our system does seem to be a little broken, doesn't it but I don't know if other countries are any better. Seems like every health system has it's problems.
I have three years until Medicare. Hope it's still intact!
Okay, didn't mean to get all political!
Thanks for your help,
Laurie

[sailawaygrl]

Laurie,

Donna is right, it's not at all unusual. It happens to me when I am flaring really bad.

Sandra

[earthlady]

You didn't mention if you have tried sitting in a warm bath with epsom salts. When my spasms were really bad moist heat from the water worked better than a dry heat. Chamomile tea worked well for calming all my muscles down. I know- sounds simplistic but I got the idea from the Better Bladder Book and it helped. My bladder and pelvic floor were spasming at the same time. What a nightmare that was - so I know how you are feeling. Valium sounds like a good idea- The Ativan I had at the time helped also until I got to pelvic PT.

[cmclien]

Would taking an antispasmodic temporarily help I wonder? Like the oab meds? They relax the bladder muscle and stop it from spasming. I get spasms when I'm in a bad way but mine feel like I'm being poked. A continuous orgasm type feeling would hurt too I'm sure but I'm wondering if its the same origin. If thats the case I think they would help. Maybe if taken for a few days they would break the cycle. Might want to ask your doc for something like that unless you're one to have retention.

[bubbe1]

in a mess

Hi Everyone.
Thanks so much for all of your responses.
I did try a warm bath, but not with the epsom salts. Maybe I'll give that a try.
I can't take antisposmodics because I tend to have retention during flares. Wish I could because I agree that those would probably be very helpful.
I didn't realize that Camomile Tea helps to calm things down. I wonder if my GERD would tolerate that. It sounds so nice.
I think I also need to just generally relax more. I tend to be wound up all the time and when I pay attention, I can feel the tension in my pelvic area. Not good! Time to take out the meditation tapes, I think.
I'm supposed to start instills for this flare, but I'm not sure when because the nurse who will be doing them said she has to order the medicine and that will take a week at least. My bladder could fall out by then! HMO's!
Okay, I'm going to go and do the most soothing thing I know of. I'm going to go sit in my rec room and love on my dog,(sorry husband, dog is cuter)!
Thanks again.
Laurie

[earthlady]

If you have GERD the chamomile tea probably shouldn't be used right before bed unless your gerd meds will take care of any reflux. Chamomile tea can also relax the esophageal valve.

[bubbe1]

in a mess

If you have GERD the chamomile tea probably shouldn't be used right before bed unless your gerd meds will take care of any reflux. Chamomile tea can also relax the esophageal valve.

Thanks! I think I'm going to have to let that go for now because my GERD is at an all time high.

[Capey]

Thanks! I think I'm going to have to let that go for now because my GERD is at an all time high.

This might just be off the wall but if you dont have medical cover, have you tried accupuncutre, I mean the proper TCM (Traditional chinese medicine) not the western style. We use it here a lot in the UK as the many drugs etc you have available in the USA are not around here - so although we have free health care - free usually means pretty basic, anything a bit out of the oridnary and you end up having to go private which is hugely expensive. I found accupunture for anything to do with knees, back etc and spasmy type things very helpful. I know many people poo poo it, but its worth a try - good luck with whatever you decide to do.

[bubbe1]

in a mess

Hi Capey,
Thanks so much for your response.

I believe in and have used acupuncuture for many different things-even our dog has an acupucnturist.

Unfortunately, the acupuncturist I went to for my latest ailment wasn't able to help, and the one I went to before that, whom I had been seeing for a long time for headaches, was aghast and obviously annoyed that I would mention something like vaginal spasms to her. She told me that's not something she treats and I should go and have a brain MRI.

I think the trick is to find the right practioner and so far, it seems, I have not.

In the meantime, the spasms have calmed down a bit,and I am thinking I might go back to my chiropractor who thinks the spasms have to do with my lower back problems. Sounds strange, but he's very good and it's worth a try.

BTW, I do have health insurance, Kaiser(HMO). My plan doesn't cover alternataive medicine, but that's okay.

On another note, interesting about your country's health coverage. I didn't realize that it was mainly for very basic care. I guess there's not perfect system.

Thanks again for your help. It's very much appreciated.
Laurie